A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Big Sur for Couples, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Columbia or Big Sur?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Columbia or Big Sur? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Big Sur

Big Sur is a scenic, remote, and breathtaking natural area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and food.

Columbia and Big Sur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Big Sur?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Big Sur. Although Columbia and Big Sur are both popular with visitors, Big Sur has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Big Sur is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Columbia is known for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Big Sur is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its beautiful state parks, dramatic coastal cliffs, and world class views. It is also home to Bixby Bridge. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Big Sur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Big Sur and Columbia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia or Big Sur?

Columbia is very good for its historical sights. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Columbia. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

Big Sur offers a few options for museum-goers. Nature is what brings visitors to the area, so most people don't prioritize museums or manmade landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Columbia or Big Sur? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Big Sur is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Big Sur. Most of the restaurants offer a breathtaking view. Many use locally-sourced ingredients and they range in style from fine dining to casual eateries.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Columbia or Big Sur Better for Nightlife?

Columbia is very good for its evening party scene. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Columbia has a few options to choose from. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

People don't go to Big Sur for the nightlife. There's a taphouse and lounge, but the area is mostly undeveloped with no real nightlife.

Is Columbia or Big Sur Better for Beaches?

Big Sur is a well-known place for the beache. However, Columbia is not a beach destination.

Big Sur is considered a top beach destination. The coastline and beaches are dramatic and beautiful, particularly Pfeiffer Beach, which has a dramatic waterfall. The water is filled with rip tides and strong currents, so swimming isn't advisable in most places.

Columbia is not a beach destination.

Is Columbia or Big Sur Better for Hiking?

Big Sur is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Big Sur is a popular spot for hiking. The dramatic hikes take you along the coastline, to beautiful beaches and through Redwood forests. There are a number of state parks along the route and some of the best hikes include Salmon Creek Trail, Pacific Valley Bluff Trail, and Ragged Point Cliffside Trail.

Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Big Sur?

Columbia is very good for its shopping areas. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for shopping.

Columbia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Big Sur has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some galleries and gift shops, but most visitors aren't in the area to go shopping.

Is Columbia or Big Sur Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbia or Big Sur.

Columbia is a family-friendly place to visit. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Big Sur is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the hiking and beaches, particularly the Carmel Lagoon at Carmel River State Beach. There are a number of state parks where kids can run around and stretch their legs.

Is Columbia or Big Sur Better for Couples?

Big Sur is renowned for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Big Sur makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Stunning viewpoints and breathtaking coastline make this a wonderful destination for couples. There are romantic inns and impressive hikes along the water's edge or through the dramatic Redwoods.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Columbia or Big Sur Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Big Sur is a popular place for backpackers. However, Columbia is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Big Sur. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but budget travelers often prefer vacation rentals, which are more common.

Columbia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not an expensive place to visit, there is little in the area to attract backpackers.

Is Columbia or Big Sur Better for Students?

Columbia is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Big Sur is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Big Sur is not popular with students.

Is Columbia or Big Sur Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Columbia is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Big Sur. There is no real public transportation in the area.

Is Columbia or Big Sur a more walkable city?

Neither Columbia or Big Sur are walkable places.

Columbia is not a walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

Big Sur is not a very walkable city. While there are hiking trails, Big Sur is a stretch of road that runs along the coast and requires a car to fully access.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Big Sur Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Big Sur or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Big Sur?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Columbia and Big Sur. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Big Sur than in Columbia. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbia, and 1-3 days is enough time in Big Sur.

Families should spend more time in Big Sur than Columbia. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Big Sur, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Big Sur than Columbia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Big Sur that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Big Sur than Columbia if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Big Sur.

One day in Columbia or Big Sur?

In Columbia, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The beautiful natural area of Big Sur offers food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbia or Big Sur?

In Columbia, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Columbia has to offer.

Big Sur is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this natural area makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Big Sur, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Big Sur?

Columbia is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Big Sur is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbia or Big Sur?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbia. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Columbia. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Big Sur is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This natural area offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Columbia and Big Sur, we can see that Columbia is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbia Expensive? and Is Big Sur Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Columbia or Big Sur?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Columbia or Big Sur in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Big Sur. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbia this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Columbia is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Columbia in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Big Sur averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Big Sur in the Autumn?

Both Big Sur and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Columbia for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Columbia is generally around the same temperature as Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Columbia usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbia or Big Sur in the Winter?

Both Big Sur and Columbia during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Columbia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.

Columbia is cooler than Big Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Columbia usually gets more rain in January than Big Sur. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Big Sur in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Big Sur. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Columbia is a little warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Columbia in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Big Sur averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In April, Columbia usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Columbia